Additive manufacturing(more commonly known as 3D printing) is a production and manufacture method which uses digital equipment to manipulate materials and builds physical objects and products in layers. Not every device or component can be made with these processes and designing for additive manufacturing must be delivered with a strong understanding of the materials and the different processes.

The advantages of using additive manufacturing in production can be significant for the right products. These advantages can include a reduction (in some cases elimination) in the need to assemble or fabricate parts, toolless production, product variation, time to market savings, waste and labour cost reductions, product quality and repeatability improvements, substantial manufacturing capital reductions and completing an easily traceable digital workflow.

3D Printed Product Design and Research

Understanding when digital manufacturing and 3D print is appropriate is a key element of manufacture of modern products. The Addition Design and Research team have world renowned expertise in developing high value products exclusively using digital manufacturing and 3D printing. The team have also developed new 3D print technology and materials.

Conventional Manufacturing

For mid-high volume production, we have robust conventional manufacturing processes like CNC Machining, Injection Molding and Urethane Casting. These manufacturing methods are reliable, but can be costly and include long lead times if not assigned appropriately.

With Urethane Casting, get the first-to-market advantage with quick-turn, 3D printed master patterns and fast curing silicone molds. Stratasys Direct developed a proprietary approach to master pattern production that is guaranteed to deliver consistency and quality in your cast components. Urethane casting can deliver first shots within 7-10 business days, allowing you to get your product on shelves long before hard-tooling for traditional injection molding could be completed.

CNC Machining is a subtractive manufacturing method that uses cutting tools to remove material from a block of raw material or a pre-existing part. Stratasys Direct’s large capacity helps deliver CNC machined parts at unrivaled speed, and our experienced engineers ensure the highest standards with cutting edge software and equipment.

Injection molding is the most commonly used method for producing higher volumes of plastic parts. Depending on your project requirements, our injection molding can deliver parts in as little as ten days. Companies can work directly with an experienced injection molding team, dedicated to delivering quality parts, on-time.

Just as important to production as the build method is post-processing, finishing and assembly. Great finishing is what makes a part ready for the marketplace and attracts customers to your product. Your vision does not have to be limited by the build envelope of a particular technology. Our expert assemblers have the precise methods curated over decades for the perfect assembly. We’ve manufactured large components, from airplane landing gears to mockups of semi-trailer doors.

Companies can maintain high-quality production and efficiency with complex and custom manufacturing aids like jigs, fixtures, templates and gauges. 3D printed jigs and fixtures open up new possibilities on manufacturing-floor productivity. 3D printing processes are easy to implement and offer a wide variety of materials to support a part’s requirements, while eliminating cost, lead time and design barriers to adopting manufacturing aids on the shop floor.